The Macomb Tree Board heard a report Thursday from City Forester Tim Howe on the planned protection of 68 trees along East Carroll Street while the road is being rebuilt this summer.

Howe said Public Works Director Jason Bainter and Operations Manager Brad Whitford have supported a set of guidelines for construction workers and project engineers during the summer period.

Howe said he has had to remove three trees on East Carroll and five from North Ward Street, which is also scheduled to be rebuilt this summer. He said he is in the process of raising tree crowns to minimize damage from construction equipment.

Board member Margaret Ovitt said she would like the city to consider a policy of requiring a physical barrier between sidewalks and streets. She said such a barrier would not only protect trees, but it could be used to store the portion of plowed snow that usually ends up blocking people's driveways.

Howe reported that the city has hired Natural Path Forestry Consultants of Oak Park to conduct a city tree inventory.

He said this would become part of the city's updated comprehensive forestry plan. Howe said four certified arborists are set to begin work in Macomb on April 8.

The city forester reported that 47 trees in total have been removed from city streets this year. He said one had been run over and killed by a truck, with the driver leaving the scene.

Howe said 47 other trees were trimmed, primarily to provide clearance over streets and sidewalks and, in three cases, nearby houses. He said 12 of the trees were trimmed to improve their structural strength.

Macomb will observe Arbor Day with a tree planting on the last Friday in April. Howe said the Macomb High School Ecology Club has donated $1,000 to help the city plant new trees, and club members and Western Illinois University urban forestry students may assist with tree plantings next month.